We were lucky enough to be at the Sutliff bridge when the first span fell into the water. I snapped pictures as quickly as I could, as the span collapsed in seconds. It is very fortunate that the other two spans are still standing. It is a very sad historic loss for the community.
Sutliff Bridge Collapse Pictures
by Doris-Lisbon (Subscribe)
Posted on: Jun 16, 2008 at 1:09 PM CST
Channel: Flood of 2008
Location: Sutliff, IA

I don't know why, but I almost feel worse about loosing that bridge than I do the downtown businesses. It was such a unique place, and I had just discovered it this year, and hadn't had priority to take my wife or kid to see it, and now is too late.

Any news on the bar and general store? I haven't seen that mentioned at all.

What a shame. That was my favorite bridge in all of Iowa and I loved driving out there to hang out for a while and watch the river.

This was my aunts favorite spot. We lost her in 2005 and I am very saddened by this. Now we will have to find a different spot to celebrate her life. God bless all the flood victims and their families. With care

oh my god, did you like, hear about cedar rapids??? like oh my god

I live down at Sutliff. I heard the basement took on water and I believe they were pumping water out of the basement as of yesterday afternoon. The water the was over the road has receded, but is still blocked off for safety reasons.

Ashley obviously never had friends to go to the bridge with.. Yes they are pumping water and cleaning up...they were able to save the bar/store...The last 2 spans of the bridge are still standing. People will come back, it's still beautfiul here.

I live in C.R. but grew up in Lisbon. I'm saddened about the loss in C.R. as well as other comm.'s. I have my own memories of Sutliff & would never belittle the mourning of anyone's loss-even if it's not something I shared. Shame on Ashley.

Ashley obviously doesn't have any friends.

This bridge was one of my favorite places. Being from the area, I am sad to see these pictures. I hope the bar and the general store recover...still love it there when I am in the area. :-( And shame on Ashley. She should so lucky.

I loved the sutliff bridge, but have to agree with Ashley. I know that it held a lot of sentimental value to MANY people, myself included. But lets get some perspective here! Thousands of people have lost their homes, work EVERYTHING!

It was tradition for us Lisbon grads to take their class photos on the bridge. To see something that was a fixture of the community (over 100 years old) is just as or more sad than any sadness of downtown CR. We lost a part of our history. Thx Doris!

used to live near sutliff. like losing an old friend. yes, i wrote a song about the bridge - Ode to the Sutliff Bridge- on my myspace site - dancetime with linda & roland. still can't believe all the water

Is there any chance the destroyed portion of the bridge could be rebuilt? Or is that not even possible now?

These are pix of the Bridge,not Cedar Rapids.Therefore,why would there be any comments about C.R.Maybe,Ashley,doesn't understand sentiment & good memories.AGE?Take the comments in context,Ashley.

Is there any chance the destroyed portion of the bridge could be rebuilt? Anything is possible, but since the bridge barely has enough money to replace bad boards, it is unlikely in my opinion enough money could be raised.

..at ease, Ashley~ loss is loss plain and simple.

In reply to Nw'er: Type "tavern" in the search box.. click on Sutliff Bridge, by Hale.. Some pix of the Tavern and Bridge.

I have fond memories of the Sutliff Bridge. I grew up in Lisbon and my family frequented Sutliff. I got married on the bridge because it was a special place to me and my family. Ashley, go cry somewhere else. Plenty of articles about CR to post in.

Thanks for the photos Doris and also the ones Lora took that Cath forwarded to us. So sad to see the Sutliff Bridge destroyed. We have fond memories of walking the bridge and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Stay safe and well.

people who saw the collapse say it sank within view, with any luck it can be raised and repaired, we've replaced planks before, enough people think it is important enough we'll find a way

Man I sure do remember taht old thing,made alot of noise when crossingI wish I could have come out frm Colorado to help save Sutliff,great place to go before or after deer hunting with Dean Baxa and Dean Brown as a kid,luved that bridge.

My class will be the first graduating class that will not have their picture taken on the bridge...heartbreaking. I walked the bridge with a few friends just days before it fell.

It was a sad, sad day. I grew up there and remember driving over the bridge, as a kid it was pretty scary yet exciting. It is a sad loss for our family....My heart goes out to all those affected by the flood....

I am the great grandaugher of the founder of the town - Allen C Sutliff and I have always said - someday I will get to go see that bridge where my family once lived and had the ferry crossing over the Cedar River and now it is too late. very sad!

It is a great loss to see a part of history gone. I used to drive over the bridge for many years growing up before the DOT had declared the bridge unsafe to drive over and some great people of the community decided to make it a historical site.

Someone,here,in Charleston County has started a"relief effort"for CR.He got a lot of"air time"on the local News.Which,will be a HUGE help!Getting Iowans Homes and Lives back in order IS a priority.But,when the time's right,the Bridge MUST be rebuilt.

Bridge restoration ideas:Hunting,fishing,Morel Mushroom tournaments.School,Church functions.Door to door.CR Historical Society.Lisbon County Council.Linn County.KCRG-9,for"air time"-Web space.Masonic Organizations and the like.Walks,Runs.Baking.

you know i have only been to that bridge once and yes it was beautiful it was one of our stops on a memorial ride for a friend of the family who passed away alot was lost in this flood and i truely hope we can rebuild these communities

Although we lost a span of the bridge, the tavern was spared. We are cleaned up and ready for business. Time will tell what can be done about the remaining spans of the bridge, but Sutliff is still a beautiful place to sit and watch the river go by

The tavern is safe, and I had a dang tasty meal there just today. Long live Sutliff! Survive and revive!

I'm a Cornell alumna who loved the bridge well, wore a "Sutliff Bridge Authority" t-shirt for years. I remember pork tenderloin, beer, and the skeet shooting game at the store. Long live the bridge at the corner of Madison Ave. and Swine Drive!

This has been a really sad week for me. My grandmother, Bonnie (Sutliff) Hollett, great granddaughter of Harvey Sutliff passed away, then I learned that part of this great bridge collapsed. At least I got to visit the bridge before the collapse.

I am saddened by this, I was hoping to bring my family to see the Sutliff bridge. I found out about it when I moved to Nebraska.



Kristina says ...
On Monday, Jun 16 at 2:16 PM
My husband and I were married on that bridge in 2006. We're both saddened that such a memorable part of our lives, and countless others, is now gone.